From correspondence a few months back, written to a young friend seeking to commit himself to a life of bhajana amidst a life filled with adversities. Slightly revised and updated for general consumption.

The adverse situations we find ourselves in are the consequence of our ill deeds and thoughts, we are caught in webs of our own weaving. Yet the situations are not deplorable inasmuch as deplorable suggests worthlessness, for they have been put in place for us to grow and to learn. To let us take deep looks into our psyche, to firmen our natures, to make our hearts grow. To cultivate the field so as to let the crops flourish when the time is due. And when the time is due, events will unfold naturally – of their own accord.

As an example, a young man wishing to leave the world behind, becoming an ascetic immersed in a life of bhajana. In the view of the Bhagavata, one becomes independent of debts to parents, forefathers and gods through complete and unreserved surrender. With that surrender, one becomes automatically free of obligations, for that is the principle of the nature. Yet, noble attempts to surrender, breaking free from the worldly shackles, may also take place before their due time.

Practical renunciation is feasible where liberation from bondage has already been established through complete surrender and renunciation within. Relationships exists both in attachment and in aversion. Liberation is attained with the vanishing of disposition, when a neutral state becomes the status quo. Aversion to the unholy is expressed through a lack of positive interest in their company; it need not take the form of express negative feelings, as negative feelings are a powerful captor of consciousness.

As for embracing the emotion of the gopis; reflect on the fact that none opted for a life in the forests in the end, even if they were ready for the same. Yes, responding to the flute's call they ran and met him in the midst of the dark night – only to again return to their houses before the rising sun. Viraha and milana are both nourishers of the great bhava. Run to Vraja when the flute calls for you – but do not respond to every instrument's mental play, for that could only make everything much worse and contribute to the tightening of your practical bondage. Cherish the spirit of detachment in your heart.

We are all bound, in a position to learn patience in waiting for a better tomorrow. Myself; though I have finally been given shelter at Vraja-dhama, I have a number of debts to clear away, I have a kutir to build, and I have pre-existing ties to a hundred directions I need to gracefully dissolve or bring to fulfillment. I will not find satisfaction in my model of sadhana until it assumes the shape of that of the mahatmas of the yore; yet my heart's fulfillment will have to wait for a favorable situation unfolding in the due course of time.

Then the bottom line for us all, stuck in diverse situations: As long as we can see light at the end of the tunnel and we walk in its way our level best, we are well situated. Or as I recently noted to a friend in plight, "As long as hope survives, there are survivors in the end."